I'm a student currently working on an open-source robotic hand design (www.eng.yale.edu/grablab/openhand). We're just starting the project and recently released the first rev of our initial design offering. We use a combination of 3D-printing and molding to make compliant, tendon-actuated fingers. We'd like to integrate our existing and future designs with a service like Shapeways so that interested users can make an order directly if they do not have access to their own 3D printers.

I was wondering if any other forum members have had experience with projects that combine 3D printed parts and other fasteners/elements, and what level of success they've had with that. If anyone here has heard of similar projects that have focused on producing something functional, heavily used, and with moving parts, that would be helpful as well.

The main issue with snap fitting two printed parts is one could be +.1mm and the other could be -.1mm and cause a snap to either not fit or be too loose. You only have to worry about the tolerances on 1 3D printed part, unless you have underfill or flashing on your molded part.

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michael@shapeways.com Community Advocate